Hijab row: Doctor whose naqab was pulled by Nitish Kumar yet to join duty as deadline ends today

CM Nitish Kumar removing Muslim doctor’s veil at an public event in Bihar.

• Ayush doctor Nusrat Parveen missed her posting deadline after hijab controversy
• Her family reportedly moved to Kolkata and restricted her media interactions
• Deadline for joining was extended but her decision remains unclear

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Ayush doctor Nusrat Parveen, who found herself at the centre of a hijab-related controversy after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulled her naqab during a government event, has not yet joined her posting even as the deadline ends today, India Today reported.

The report said that December 31 was fixed as the final date for joining, and failure to report by the deadline could result in cancellation of her appointment. So far, there has been no official confirmation from Parveen or her family on whether she plans to take up the posting.

According to the report, Parveen and her family shifted from Patna to Kolkata following the incident. It also said her husband has restricted her from stepping out or speaking to the media.

Parveen was posted at the Sabalpur Primary Health Centre in Patna Sadar.

Vijay Kumar, a surgeon at the PHC, confirmed that she has not reported for duty. He said doctors are required to first report to the civil surgeon’s office before assuming charge at their assigned centres.

Governor Arif Mohammad Khan attempted to downplay the controversy, questioning the use of the term “dispute”. “Can there be any row between a father and a daughter?” he asked, adding that the chief minister considers female students as his daughters.

Mahfoozur Rahman, principal of the Government Tibbi College and Hospital, where Parveen is a second-year student, said the joining deadline had been extended in this “special case”, but there was still no clarity on her decision.

He also dismissed reports that the family had moved to Kolkata in protest, quoting Parveen’s husband as saying they were disappointed by the media attention around the issue. Rahman added that Parveen last attended college around December 17 or 18 and continues to have the option of either joining government service or pursuing higher studies.